Actor Larry Hagman, shown 2008 in front of the Southfork Ranch mansion made famous in the television show Dallas, plans to reprise his role as J.R. Ewing. (Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press)

U.S. actor Larry Hagman is to appear in a TV remake of classic 1980s soap opera Dallas, cable network TNT announced Tuesday.

The 79-year-old will reprise his role as scheming oil baron J.R. Ewing in the new pilot, which will centre on the fortunes of the next generation of Ewings.

Also to return are Patrick Duffy as Bobby, J.R.'s younger brother, and Linda Gray as Sue Ellen Ewing, J.R.'s wife.

Josh Henderson, previously seen on TV's Desperate Housewives and 90210, will play John Ross Ewing, who is fighting with a cousin over the oil wealth. The character was portrayed by child actor Tyler Banks in the original series.

Jordana Brewster, best known from the film The Fast and the Furious, will play Elena, a character involved in a love triangle with the Ewing cousins.

Cynthia Cidre, who penned the 1992 film The Mambo Kings, has written the pilot for the new production. The project still requires the go-ahead by TNT before it can be developed as a full series.

TNT has not confirmed when production will start.